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Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round of the US Open 2019, New York USA | (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Tennis | Australian Open 2022 | Quarter-Finalists with a point to prove as semi-final spot awaits on day 10

Tony Fairbairn

Tennis

January 25, 2022

Daniil Medvedev [2] v Felix Auger-Aliassime [9]
Iga Swiatek [7] v Kaia Kanepi
Stefanos Tsitsipas [4] v Jannik Sinner [11]
Danielle Collins [27] v Alize Cornet

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – All eight Australian Open quarter-finalists have a point to prove on day 10 of the championships. Who will seize their opportunity and reach the semi-finals?

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Daniil Medvedev [2] v Felix Auger-Aliassime [9] H2H & Match Fundamentals

Daniil Medvedev [2] v Felix Auger-Aliassime [9]	H2H: Medvedev leads 3-0
Australian Open	Melbourne, Australia
Hard (O)	Prize Money: A$538,500
4th on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 08:30 GMT)	Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player

Daniil Medvedev’s path to the last eight has been far from easy as big-serving Nick Kyrgios and serve and volleyer Maxime Cressy have both provided the Russian with awkward tests. However the US Open champion won both matches in four sets and now stands three wins away from a second grand slam title. Medvedev’s balance of agility, defensive toughness and attacking prowess makes for a dangerous combination heading into the final stages of the tournament.

Next for Medvedev is ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime who exercised some demons in the last round to edge past Marin Cilic in four sets in what traditionally is an unfavourable match for the Canadian. After a slow start in his opening two rounds, Auger-Aliassime has worked through the gears to reach the last eight or better at his third grand slam in a row. Now can Auger-Aliassime translate this consistency into grand slam glory?

This is another unfavourable match-up for the Canadian with Medvedev’s defensive qualities mixed with powerful serving making it difficult for Auger-Aliassime to create opportunities. Although Medvedev will be tested the Russian should prevail and reach another grand slam semi-final.

Prediction: Medvedev in four sets.

Iga Swiatek [7] v Kaia Kanepi H2H & Match Fundamentals

Embed from Getty Images

Iga Swiatek [7] v Kaia Kanepi	H2H: First Meeting
Australian Open	Melbourne, Australia
Hard (O)	Prize Money: A$538,500
2^nd on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 02:00 GMT)	Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player

Iga Swiatek had to overcome an emotional roller-coaster against Sorana Cirstea to reach the last eight at the Australian Open for the first time. The young Pole has been the most consistent in the big events and is looking to capture a second grand slam title. Now that the draw has opened up can Swiatek take her opportunity and reach a second grand slam final?

Standing in Swiatek’s way is grand slam giant killer Kaia Kanepi who has been on yet another amazing run at a grand slam. Having knocked out Angelique Kerber in the opening round, the Estonian’s last set tiebreak win over Aryna Sabalenka ensured she has now reached the quarter-finals at all four grand slams. Now the Estonian is looking for another upset as she looks to reach the last four.

This match will see Kanepi’s big-hitting up against Swiatek’s defensive resilience and new-found aggression. The Estonian’s two upset wins were against players that gave her opportunities due to conservative serving but may not have the same opportunities when she takes on Swiatek with the Pole’s first serve improving dramatically. This should be another roller-coaster match-up but one Swiatek should prevail in.

Prediction: Swiatek in three sets.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas [4] v Jannik Sinner [11] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Stefanos Tsitsipas [4] v Jannik Sinner [11]	H2H: Tsitsipas leads 2-1
Australian Open	Melbourne, Australia
Hard (O)	Prize Money: A$538,500
3^rd on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 04:00 GMT)	Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player

Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a massive scare in the last round when he just edged past Taylor Fritz in five sets to reach the last eight in Melbourne. The match was a test of Tsitsipas’ elbow injury as well as his ability to win when not playing his best tennis. The Roland Garros finalist passed both those tests as he looks to capture a maiden grand slam title in Melbourne.

However it doesn’t get any easier for Tsitsipas as big-hitting Italian Jannik Sinner is next with the next generation superstar continuing to impress on the tour. A comfortable win over home favourite Alex De Minaur saw Sinner continue his dominant run throughout the tournament. Sinner’s ability to hit the ball at the speed of a Ferrari off of both sides can cause any opponent trouble and now the youngster looks to translate that form against the big players on the big stages.

This should be a fascinating match with both players having different expectations. On one side Tsitsipas will have all the pressure and has the experience as well as confidence to win these types of matches. On the other side Sinner is expecting himself to beat the top guys at the slams and although his potential his promising, at some point the Italian must prove he is ready to breakthrough. The match should be entertaining and Tsitsipas’ unconvincing tennis at the moment means this is Sinner’s best opportunity yet to reach a grand slam semi-final.

Prediction: Sinner in five sets.

Danielle Collins [27] v Alize Cornet H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Danielle Collins [27] v Alize Cornet	H2H: First Meeting
Australian Open	Melbourne, Australia
Hard (O)	Prize Money: A$538,500
1^st on Rod Laver Arena (Not before 00:00 GMT)	Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime Sign up for 30 day free trial of Prime Video and a 7-day free trial of Discovery+ Player

Three years ago Danielle Collins reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open with a dream run and is now looking to do the same three years later. Two thrilling wins over Clara Tauson and Elise Mertens sees the American’s resilience being put to the test as she looks to take advantage of an open quarter of the draw.

Part of the reason for the open quarter of the draw is Alize Cornet, Collins’ next opponent. The Frenchwoman has already knocked out Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep to reach her first grand slam quarter-final. In possibly her last season on tour Cornet is looking to end it on a high and realise her dreams that have been 15 years in the making.

This match will certainly have drama and emotions as both players aren’t afraid of letting their feelings known. Both players have similar styles with Collins the more aggressive of the two. Cornet’ defensive solidity is not easy to break down and whoever is the more consistent with their groundstrokes and tactics will punch their ticket to the semi-finals.

Prediction: Collins in three sets.